“Now then, jump in. Here, hand them to the gangway as they come up.”
It was done; and as each appeared he was kicked to the scuppers, and bundled down over the side.
“She's full. Cast loose now and off with you. If you try to board again we'll sink you.”
“Fire! fire!” shouted Cary, forward. “Up the main hatchway for your lives!”
The ruse succeeded utterly; and before half-an-hour was over, all the ship's boats which could be lowered were filled with Spaniards in their shirts, getting ashore as best they could.
“Here is a new sort of camisado,” quoth Cary. “The last Spanish one I saw was at the sortie from Smerwick: but this is somewhat more prosperous than that.”
“Get the main and foresail up, Will!” said Amyas, “cut the cable; and we will plume the quarry as we fly.”
“Spoken like a good falconer. Heaven grant that this big woodcock may carry a good trail inside!”
“I'll warrant her for that,” said Jack Brimblecombe. “She floats so low.”
“Much of your build, too, Jack. By the by, where is the commander?”